The season came to a screeching halt for both the girls and boys Jackson basketball teams Thursday as Regionals began. In the elimination game format of the playoffs this season due to COVID, the girls were sent packing after a blowout loss to Green River and the boys were routed by Star Valley.
It would have been a monumental ask to get a win and advance to state for either the Broncs or Lady Broncs. Both Jackson teams entered the post-season as the number 4 seed, up against the top seeds in the 4A SW quadrant. The favorites held serve across the board, in fact, as no upsets materialized in Regional play.
The Lady Broncs found themselves on the wrong end of a 59-30 final score. From beginning to end, Green River showed why they were the number 1 seed going in.
Senior guard Kayde Strauss owned the first half for Green River, converting four triples enroute to a 16-point night, while power forward Tayana Crowder dominated the second half with her 17-point production. Megan Counts added 12 for the Lady Wolves in the winning cause.
For the Lady Broncs, Karsen Breeding notched 7, Audrey Fouras 6, Caroline Fouras 4, Morgan Ducket 4, Gracie Hardeman 4, Hanna Freeze 3, Hyla Chatham 2, and Jo Smits 2. The ladies finish the 2020-21 season with an overall record of 3-16, 1-6 in quadrant.
It didn’t go much better for the boys who ran into a buzz saw in Afton. Playing on their home court, Star Valley ran away with a lopsided 70-23 win. It was the largest margin of victory for the Braves all season and the first time they topped 70 points since their opening game of the year back on December 11. For Jackson, 23 points was their lowest offensive output all season.
Jackson got points from Sebastian Brunner 7, Gavin Brunner 6, Gavin Keelin 5, Henry Berezay 2, and Sam Lopeman 2.
Star Valley was led by Kolter Merritt and Kortlen Hilton; both finished with 15 points apiece.
The Broncs wind up their season with a 1-18 record, winless in quadrant play.
